MENTORSHIP
The OurWhisky Foundation Mentorship Programme is a world-first initiative, providing guidance for women looking to join or progress in the global whisky industry.
The six-month programme matches candidates from all over the world with an experienced mentor based on their location, individual experience, skills and goals.
Our mentors are all leaders in their fields and cover a range of disciplines from distilling and blending through to marketing, communications, bartending, advocacy, entrepreneurship and brand management (see below for a full list).
Comprised of monthly one-to-one in-person or virtual mentoring sessions, the programme is centred around the GROW model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) and incorporates the purpose-driven Japanese concept of ikigai to help steer mentees toward clear personal goals.
What’s included:
Monthly one-to-one meetings with a personally-assigned mentor
Monthly digital workshops focusing on personal and professional development
An award-winning confidence workshop delivered by The Academe, designed to empower, motivate and improve self-awareness
Networking opportunities via a group Whatsapp and in-person events
Exclusive discounts on further personal development programmes
Eligibility
The programme is open to anyone of any age or location who identifies as female or non-binary, and who is pursuing a career in the whisky industry. Whether you are looking to get into production, start your own brand or simply gain more confidence in your existing role, the OurWhisky Foundation’s mentorship programme is an opportunity to build your career and connect with some of the most experienced people in the industry.
There are just 25 places available on each programme.
Apply to be a mentor
The OurWhisky Foundation gratefully accepts applications from experienced members of the industry to become mentors for our programme. Candidates may be located anywhere globally and identify as any gender, but must have at least five years experience in their field of expertise. Mentors will be added to our database and contacted if a suitable match is found.
If you would like to be considered as a mentor, please complete this application form.
If you represent an organisation that is interested in sponsoring our mentorship programme, please get in touch.
Mentee Application Process
10 April: Applications for the July - December 2024 programme open
30 April: Applications close
27 - 31 May: Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a short interview.
June: The final 25 applicants will be notified
Late June: Successful mentees will be introduced to their mentors
3 July: The final 25 OurWhisky Foundation mentees will be publicly announced
mentee testimonials
Many of our past mentees have gone on to achieve promotions, new jobs, start up their own brands and achieve their personally-set goals after being a part of the programme. Here’s what some of our alumni have to say:
“I cannot find the words to express what a positive influence this experience has had on my life; both personally and professionally. I started it with a goal to discover what my next career move would be, but I also discovered a lot about myself, my inner critic and barriers I was putting in my own way.”
– Stephanie Peck, Brand Ambassador, Ardray Scotch Whisky“Undoubtedly, the mentorship I received through the OurWhisky Foundation has empowered me with invaluable knowledge and skills that have not only elevated my performance as a Brand Ambassador but also paved the way for my promotion.”
– Caris Simpson, Global Malts Ambassador, Chivas Brothers"I was lucky to get to join a community of incredible whisky women through the OurWhisky Foundation. Together we got to experience The Power Room sessions with the amazing Lucy Cox. I learned that I’m not alone in this and more importantly how to effectively stop, reflect, take stock and take action so I don’t let my inner perfectionist win."
– Erin Lee, Distiller, FEW Spirits“I cannot tell you how glad I am that I came across the mentorship programme. The Power Room sessions with Lucy have been life changing and I’m so grateful for the amazing community. The mentorship is easily one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
– Jesme Wales, Brand Development Specialist, ACEO Spirits
Applications for the July-December 2024 mentorship programme are now open. Please submit your application before the deadline on 30 April.
Our Mentors
Our mentor programme features a star-studded line-up of industry leaders with backgrounds spanning areas such as distilling, blending, brand ownership, bartending, ambassadorship,
marketing and journalism.
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Peter Allison, Co-Founder, Woven
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Leadership, Entrepreneurship
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Nicole Austin, Distillery Manager, Cascade Hollow
LOCATION: Tennessee, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Marketing, Consultation
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Richard Bates, Senior Director, Beam Suntory, Global Scotch, Irish Whiskey
LOCATION: Hurstpierpoint, England
EXPERTISE: Strategy, Brand, Marketing
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Mitch Bechard, Founder, Copper Cairn
LOCATION: Aberlour, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Distribution, Consultation
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Kirsteen Beeston, Global marketing director, Bowmmore, Auchentoshan & Irish whiskey
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Management, Branding
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Kirsty Black, Distiller, Arbikie
LOCATION: Dundee, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Operations, Education
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Blair Bowman, Whisky consultant and broker
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Entreprenuership, Cask Management, Communication
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Nick Bradley, Prestige Portfolio Manager, Loch Lomond
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Marketing
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Lew Bryson, Writer & Author
LOCATION: Pennsylvania, USA
EXPERTISE: Writing, Journalism
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Joe Cabassa, International Brand Ambassador, Academia de Whisky
LOCATION: Puerto Rico
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Brand Management, Training
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Fraser Campbell, Whisky Host & Consultant, Copper Cairn
LOCATION: Aberdeen, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Consulting, Ambassador, Brand Management
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Kirsteen Campbell, master whisky maker, The Macallan
LOCATION: Aberlour, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Distilling, Production
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Alex Chasko, Master Distiller, Teeling Whiskey Company
LOCATION: Dublin, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Blending
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Alexandra Clough, Founder, Gather PR
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, PR, Communications
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Lorne Cousin, national ambassador, Glenfiddich USA
LOCATION: Florida, USA
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Communication, Public speaking
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Susie Davidson, Elucidate Communications
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Founder, Marketing, Communications,
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Dawn Davies MW, buying director, the whisky exchange
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Buying, Education, Communication
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Alisdair Day, Co-founder, Rasaay distillery
LOCATION: Clachan, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Founder, Blending, Leadership
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Zoe Decool, Brand & Acceleration Director, Distill Ventures
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Strategy, Brand management
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Maurice Doyle, CEO, Compass Box
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Coaching
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Gordon Dundas, brand development director, Ian Macleod
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Branding, Sales
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Marianne Eaves, Consulting Master Distiller
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Blending, Production
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Tracie Franklin, Whiskey Educator, Spirited Tracie
LOCATION: Washington DC, USA
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Education, Distilling
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Karen Fullerton, Business Executive - Northern Europe, Alter Oak
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Brand management
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Dhavall Gandhi, whisky maker & consultant
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Entrepreneurship, Blending, Production
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Julie Gallacher, Head of Sustainability & Responsibility, Chivas Brothers
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Sustainability, Marketing
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Cameron George, US brand ambassador, Ardbeg
LOCATION: Washington, USA
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Education
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Rod Gillies, Global Brand Director, The Dalmore
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Brand Management, Innovation
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Christopher Goggins, Distiller, Dublin Liberties Distillery
LOCATION: Dublin, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production
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Colin Gordon, distillery manager, Ardbeg
LOCATION: Islay, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production, Leadership
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Rebecca Griffiths-Duchiron, Head of Retail Marketing, Global Travel Retail, Edrington
LOCATION: Dubai, UAE
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Education
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Deepali Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Thirsty Three Hospitality and SideCar India
LOCATION: Delhi, India
EXPERTISE: Marketing, F&B, Writing
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Daryl Haldane, global private client director, Beam Suntory
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Leadership, Communication
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Becky Harris, President & Head Distiller, Catoctin Creek
LOCATION: Virginia, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Leadership, Entrepreneurship
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Emily Harris, Founder, May Fox Communications
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: PR, Marketing, Branding
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Scott Harris, Co-Founder, Catoctin Creek
LOCATION: Virginia, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling, Marketing
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Beth Havers, Founder, Whisky Beth
LOCATION: Toronto, Canada
EXPERTISE: Founder, Ambassador
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Steve Hawley, president, American Single Malt Whisky Commission
LOCATION: California, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Marketing, Brand management
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Paul Hletko, Founder, FEW Spirits
LOCATION: Chicago, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling, Production
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Matt Hofmann, Managing Director, Westland Distillery
LOCATION: Washington, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling, Production
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Stef Holt, Market manager, Waterford Distillery
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Marketing
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Alia Jamal, Founder, Doubleshot Comms
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: PR, Founder
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Jamie Johnson, National Brand Ambassador, Glenfiddich & The Balvenie, Canada
LOCATION: Toronto, Canada
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Communication, Sales
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Sydney Jones, Head distiller, FEW Spirits
LOCATION: Illinois, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production
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Brian Kinsman, malt master, Glenfiddich
LOCATION: Speyside, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Blending, Production
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Cara Laing, Managing Director, Douglas Laing
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Brand management
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Hannah Lanfear, Founding director, The Mixing Class
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Production, Communication
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Kristy Lark-Booth, Owner & Distiller, Killara Distillery
LOCATION: Tasmania, Australia
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production, Leadership
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Alice Lascelles, Drinks writer & Author
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Communications, Cocktails, Writing
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John Laurie, Managing Director, The Glenturret
LOCATION: Livingstone, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Management
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Sandrae Lawrence, Co-founder, The Cocktail Lovers
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Founder, Writing, Cocktails
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Ilaria Leone, Freelance Digital Content Strategist
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Communications, Marketing, Social Media
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Naomi Leslie, East US Ambassador, The Balvenie
LOCATION: New Jersey, USA
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Education, D&I
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Miika Lipiäinen, Co-Founder, Kyrö Distillery
LOCATION: Helsinki , Finland
EXPERTISE: Founder, Entrepreneur, Branding
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Graeme Littlejohn, director of strategy and communications, SWA
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Communication, PR, Marketing
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Don Livermore, Master Blender, Hiram Walker Distillery
LOCATION: Ontario, Canada
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Blending, Leadership
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Polly Logan, Distillery Manager, Edrington
LOCATION: Aberdeen, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production, Operations
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Bill Lumsden, head of distilling & whisky creation, Glenmorangie
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distiliing, Management
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Iain McAlister, distillery manager, Glen Scotia
LOCATION: Campbeltown, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Production, Distilling, Leadership
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Elizabeth McCall, master distiller, Woodford Reserve
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Production, Distilling
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Johanne McInnis, Whisky writer & educator
LOCATION: New Brunswick, Canada
EXPERTISE: Writing, Content
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Jessamine McLellan, Campari Academy Lead
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Ambassador, Education
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Kirsty McLeod, Sales Director, Duncan Taylor
LOCATION: Elgin, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Sales, Education
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Gillian MacDonald, Master Blender, Glenmorangie
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Blending, Production
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Stephanie Macleod, Director of Blending, Dewar's
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Production
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Caspar MacRae, CEO, Glenmorangie
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Sales, Leadership
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Stewart MacRae, former Regional Director, Edrington
LOCATION: Bishopbriggs, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Sales, Leadership
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Brendan McCarron, Independent Consultant
LOCATION: Port Ellen, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production
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Duncan McRae, co-founder, Woven
LOCATION: Adelaide, Australia
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Marketing, Branding
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Sandra Mearns, Head of Marketing - EMEIA, Edrington
LOCATION: Dubai, UAE
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Brand management, Leadership
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Isac Melander, Global Brand Ambassador, Naked Malt
LOCATION: Stockholm, Sweden
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Brand Management, F&B
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Ann Miller, whisky educator
LOCATION: Speyside, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Leadership
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Fred Minnick, whisky writer & author
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Writing, Journalism
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Thomas Mooney, Founder, Westward Whiskey
LOCATION: Oregon, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling, Leadership
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Nick Morgan, whisky writer & author
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Writing
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Jamie Morrison, global brand ambassador, The Glenturret
LOCATION: Crieff, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Communication, Sales
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Abbie Jaume, Co-Founder & Distiller, Cooper King Distillery
LOCATION: York, England
EXPERTISE: Founder, Production, Distilling
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Debs Newman, General Manager, Holyrood Distillery
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Management, Operations, Leadership
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Jennie Norrish, Founder, Yellow Shoes Consultancy
LOCATION: Woodbridge, England
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Communication, Branding
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Sietse Offringa, Regional Education Manager - The Macallan Europe North, Edrington
LOCATION: Amsterdam, Netherlands
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Ambassador, Distilling
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Alicia Partridge, Talent and Capability Partner, Pernod Ricard Winemakers
LOCATION: Sydney, Australia
EXPERTISE: PR, D&I
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Lauren Patz, Head Distiller, Purple Brands
LOCATION: California, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production
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Martin Purvis, associate director Europe, Kelvin Cooperage
LOCATION: Bridge of Allan, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Operations
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Caitlin Quinn, Head distiller, Eauclaire Distillery
LOCATION: Calgary, Canada
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production
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Struan Grant Ralph, global brand ambassador, Glenfiddich
LOCATION: Forres, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Brand management, Distilling
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Sandrine Ricard, Deputy Director, Pernod Ricard
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Communications, Branding
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Neil Ridley, Author, Writer & Consultant
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Writing, Presenting, Consultation
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Nicola Riske, Regional Education Manager - The Macallan - European Partners
LOCATION: Madrid, Spain
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Brand management, Education
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Lisa Roper Wicker, Master Distiller, Garrard County Distilling Company
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Leadership, Business Management
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Noah Rothbaum, Spirits & Cocktails Author & Expert
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Writing, Cocktails
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Jane Ryan, Head of Marketing, Worksmith
LOCATION: Sydney, Australia
EXPERTISE: Journalism, Communication, Writing
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Holly Seidewand, Co-Founder, First Fill Spirits
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Retail, Marketing, Leadership
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Simo Simpson, bar owner
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Founder, D&I, Management
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Scott Sneddon, Distillery Manager, InchDairnie
LOCATION: Glenrothes, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Site Operations, Sustainability
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Caitlin Soares, National Brand Manager, Edrington
LOCATION: Massachusetts, USA
EXPERTISE: Branding, Brand management, Leadership
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Colin Spoelman, Co-Founder, Kings County Distillery
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Entrepreneurship, Founder
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Ben Stewart, Head of Commercial, William Grant & Sons
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Sales, Marketing, Leadership
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Tommy Tardie, owner, The Flatiron Room and Fine & Rare NY
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Marketing, Education
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Kirsty Taylor, commercial director, Lakes Distillery
LOCATION: Cumbrial, England
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Sales, Distribution
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Michael Vachon, co-founder, Maverick Drinks
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Distribution, Sales
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Claire Vaughan, Co-Founder, White Peak Distillery
LOCATION: Derbyshire, England
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Marketing, Design
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Racheal Vaughan Jones, Marketing Director, Compass Box
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Brand management, Writing
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David Vitale, Founder, Starward Whisky
LOCATION: Melbourne, Australia
EXPERTISE: Entrepreneurship, Business, Leadership
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Sarah Ward, Global Brand Manager, Highland Park, Edrington
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Communications, Brand management
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Alexandra Warren, Global Head of Marketing, Distill ventures
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: PR, Communications, Marketing
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Alan Winchester, Distillery Advisor, The Glenlivet
LOCATION: Dufftown, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production
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Alex wolpert, Founder, East London Liquor Company
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling
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Helen Wong, Managing Director, Edrington Taiwan
LOCATION: Taipei, Taiwan
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Buying, Management
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Jackie Zykan, master blender, Hidden BArn Whiskey
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Blending, Production, Management